Haemorrhoids: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

What are Haemorrhoids?

When the veins in your rectum and around the anus get inflamed, irritated, and swollen, the condition is referred to as haemorrhoids. The rectal channel and anal canal are made up of a special type of vein referred to as an anal cushion. There are three such cushions in the anal area, and their function is to safeguard the sphincter muscles and help in stool continence. When these anal cushions get inflamed, irritated, and swollen due to excessive pressure, they form haemorrhoids.

Types of Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids may be classified as follows:

1. Internal Haemorrhoids

These haemorrhoids develop in the inner lining of anus and the lower part of the rectum. The swollen veins may prolapse to a certain degree and may even bleed. If these haemorrhoids reach an advanced stage, they might need surgery.

2. Prolapsed Haemorrhoids

This is a more complex and severe form of internal haemorrhoid. When the swelling of inner lining of the anus increases haemorrhoids may push out of the anus and become visible as red, swollen lumps.

3. External Haemorrhoids

These haemorrhoids develop just underneath the skin around one’s anus. These haemorrhoids are like hardened, painless lumps in the initial stage. External haemorrhoids start paining only when a blood clot develops, or they become swollen.

Symptoms of Haemorrhoids

• For external haemorrhoids

• The feeling of lumps closer to the anus

• Anal itching

• Anal pain

• Discomfort while sitting

• For internal haemorrhoids

• Rectal bleeding

• Pain and discomfort

• Prolapsing out of anal opening

Causes of Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids may be caused due to several factors, such as —

• Straining during bowel movements can cause haemorrhoids. Therefore, people with constipation are likely to get haemorrhoids.

• Being overweight/obese and having too much visceral fat exerts pressure on the veins around the rectum and anus, causing haemorrhoids.

• Sitting for long hours can cause haemorrhoids as it exerts pressure on the veins around your rectum and anus. These veins may get overstretched and lose their tone and elasticity.

• When you age, the supporting tissues and muscles in your rectum and anus may weaken, exposing your rectal veins to increased friction and inflammation. An increase in friction irritates the veins, causing haemorrhoids.

• Most people strain and hold their breath while lifting heavy loads. Holding the breath pushes air down into the lungs, exerting pressure on the veins in the rectum and anus. That is also one of the causes of haemorrhoids.

Risk Factors of Haemorrhoids

• Genetics play an important role in increasing your chances of developing haemorrhoids. If you have inherited the weakness of blood vessels and veins from your family, you are more likely to experience swollen and inflamed rectal veins.

• People who eat a low-fibre diet and rely more on fast foods are at risk of developing haemorrhoids. Eating a low-fibre diet can cause hard stool and constipation. If you are constipated, you tend to strain during bowel movements, leading to the development of haemorrhoid symptoms.

• A sedentary lifestyle and lack of adequate physical activity adversely affect gastrointestinal motility and increase the risk of haemorrhoids.

• Obese and overweight individuals are at risk of developing haemorrhoids because of excessive pressure exerted by their excess body fat on the internal organs, including the veins in the rectal passage.

• People who have underlying health issues like anal injury, ascites, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease, and inflammatory bowel disease have a higher chance of developing haemorrhoids.

• Those in the age group 40-65 years are more likely to develop haemorrhoids because of progressive weakening of the tissues supporting the veins in the rectum and anus.

• Pregnant women have a greater likelihood of developing haemorrhoids. As the uterus of the pregnant woman increases in size, it exerts excessive pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, thereby increasing the chances of irritation of the veins in the rectum and anus.

Diagnosis of Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are diagnosed based on the haemorrhoids symptoms. Your doctor may diagnose it in the following ways —

• Physical Examination:

The doctor may make you lie in a prone jackknife posture and visually inspect the area for haemorrhoids.

• Digital Rectal Examination:

The doctor may insert a lubricated and gloved finger into your rectum to feel the presence of swollen veins.

• Sigmoidoscopy:

The doctor may use a flexible and rigid sigmoidoscope (lighted thin tube fitted with a camera) to view the interiors of the lower part (sigmoid) of your colon and rectum.

• Anoscopy:

The doctor may use an anoscope (a lighted tube) to inspect the lining of your rectum and anus.

Treatment of Haemorrhoids

There can be various treatment options for haemorrhoids. This includes:

• Your doctor may prescribe Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs, Steroidal gels and ointments to relieve pain and discomfort.

• Surgery is often suggested by doctors for severe bleeding haemorrhoids treatment. Haemorrhoidectomy is one surgical procedure to remove haemorrhoids. Another surgical procedure is Haemorrhoid Stapling, where a stapling tool is used to remove a haemorrhoid or pull a prolapsed one back into the anus.

FAQs

1. Can haemorrhoids rupture?

Yes, if a haemorrhoid gets thrombosed, it might rupture and bleed a lot. When a blood clot develops within the haemorrhoid, it tends to get thrombosed and eventually rupture.

2. Can children get haemorrhoids?

Yes, children can get haemorrhoids. Children who suffer from severe constipation may develop haemorrhoids, even though it is rare.

3. Can sitz baths help in haemorrhoids?

Yes, the warmth from sitz baths can increase blood circulation and relieve haemorrhoid symptoms like pain and itching.